Here’s When Each Cruise Line Pays Travel Advisors Their Commission

One of the most difficult aspects of being a travel advisor, particularly when getting started, is that you often have to wait to get paid. Just because a client pays you, doesn’t mean the supplier sends you your commission.

While many cruise lines have switched to paying on full payment (with commissions being liable to recall if the traveler cancels), some still pay either after travel has started or been completed.

Though 16 cruise lines have pledged to ASTA to pay within 30 days of final payment in full, some of these lines are “slow to comply,” according to an ASTA presentation at a recent travel agency conference, “specifically while trip is still in penalty.”

Our research revealed the same with at least two of these 16 lines reportedly paying after travel has commenced (or finished).

Here is when both ocean going and river cruise lines pay advisors their commission.

After final payment and/or before travel

AmaWaterways

Commissions are processed 30 days prior to client’s departure.

American Cruise Lines

Commission is paid approximately 45 days prior to cruise embarkation. Additionally, the commission is protected when a booking is paid in full and a guest cancels within 45 days of the cruise embarkation date.

Aqua Expeditions

Commission is paid once the full payment for the sailing is complete and Aqua has received the corresponding invoice.

Avalon Waterways

One of the cruise lines that has committed to ASTA, Avalon pays commission to advisors at final client payment, which is due 90 days before travel.

Azamara

One of the cruise lines that has committed to ASTA to pay commission upon final payment, Azamara pays commission when payment has been received in full, often before the 120-day final payment deadline.

Carnival Cruise Line

Another one of the 16 cruise lines that has committed to ASTA, commission is paid after final payment is received by Carnival.

Celebrity Cruises

Although one of the cruise lines that pledged to ASTA to pay commission upon final payment, anecdotal evidence from advisors indicates payments are a mixed bag, with some reporting receiving commission checks before travel and others after travel.

Crystal

Crystal pays commission 30 days prior to sailing.

Cunard

One of the cruise lines that has pledged to ASTA to pay on final payment, Cunard confirmed it pays commission after final payment has been received.

Disney Cruise Line

Commission is paid once final payment is completed.

Explora Journeys

Explora pays commission within 21 days of final payment. (Explora Journeys also pays commission on any cancellation penalties withheld.)

Holland America Line

One of the cruise lines that has committed to ASTA, commission is paid seven to 10 days after the final payment is made.

MSC Cruises

Commission for regular bookings is paid 14 days prior to departure. (Group departure commissions are paid two weeks after disembarkation.)

Norwegian Cruise Line

Another one of the cruise lines that has committed to ASTA, commissions are processed up to 14 business days after receipt and posting of the final payment.

Oceania Cruises

One of the cruise lines that has pledged to ASTA to pay on final payment, though the line had not yet responded to TMR for confirmation at publication time. Anecdotal evidence from advisors indicates commission checks are paid after final payment, but close to departure date.

Princess Cruises

One of the cruise lines that has committed to ASTA to pay commission upon final payment, the majority of payments are processed shortly after the final payment is made. According to Princess, commissions are typically disbursed to agencies within 16 days of final payment.

Riviera Travel

As of January 1, 2025, travel advisors receive their commission two weeks prior to their clients’ departure dates. 

Royal Caribbean International

One of the cruise lines that has pledged to ASTA to pay on final payment, though the line had not yet responded to TMR for confirmation at publication time. Anecdotal evidence from advisors indicates payments are made after final payment and before clients travel.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

As one of the cruise line’s that has pledged to ASTA to pay on final payment, Regent’s policy is to issue commission payments four weeks prior to sail date.

Seabourn

Another line that has committed to ASTA, commission is paid when full payment for the booking is received (usually received by advisor within a few weeks).

Silversea Cruises

Silversea pays commission shortly before (about a week) clients travel.

Viking

Viking pays commission 28 days prior to departure.

Virgin Voyages

As one of the cruise lines that has pledged to ASTA, Virgin Voyages pays commission on the cruise fare after final payment is due, which is 120 days before departure. However, commissions on pre-voyage onboard sales (Bar Tab, Shore Things) are paid within 30 days after the voyage is completed.

Uniworld

Commission is paid approximately 30 days before departure.

After travel has commenced

Quark Expeditions

Advisors are paid commission 30 days after their client’s departure day (day 1 of the voyage).

Riverside Luxury Cruises

Although Riverside is one of the cruise lines that has told ASTA it will pay upon final payment, commissions are paid within 30 days of the client’s departure date.

Tauck

Commissions are processed on Day 3 of the cruise. Tauck can provide commissions via EFT if the agency is registered and has given Tauck all the relevant banking details.

Windstar Cruises

Another one of the cruise lines that pledged to ASTA to pay commission upon final payment, Windstar actually begins processing commission checks on the day passengers embark. Checks are sent from the Denver location of Windstar’s parent company, Xanterra Travel Collection, on the Monday after the cruise begins.  

After travel is completed

HX

Commission payment occurs 30 days post travel.

UnCruise Adventures

UnCruise pays commission approximately two weeks after the client’s last day of their cruise.